Road 281 is our new favorite drive.  It runs parallel to the Mexican border and it is a very peaceful drive with lots of tropical lush farm fields and swaying palm trees that line the way.  The Santa Ana Wild Animal Refuge is also on this road going south towards Brownsville.   If you are a butterfly or bird watcher this area is just the place for you because it is the home to "The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail for the Lower Texas Coast."  We definitely want to take advantage of exploring all these trails and parks but on this day, we just had a nice drive.
Located: FM 1015 Progreso Lakes, TX 78579
Mike's Fruit Stand is located a little bit before the Mexican border.  We picked up some Sandia = Watermelon and a box of mangos which were so delicious. I spotted these green fruits you see on the lower right hand side, not sure what they are but they looked pretty. Do you know?
Thanks to Stephanie from Odyssey for suggesting Topo Chico.  I love mineral water and picked up a whole case this weekend for about 6 bucks, way cheaper than Perrier but just as refreshing if not more.  Living close to the border is a unique experience.  The only other border I have visited is back in San Diego, CA and this is nothing like it.  Although we are still in the USA, for some reason this area feels like it's own country.  As I mentioned in this post, there is a lot of dangerous activity just a few feet away from where I stood taking this Topo Chico picture and it is a real shame because Southern Texas/Northern Mexico is truly beautiful. Just six months ago I was celebrating Christmas by Big Sur, one of the most beautiful places in the world and now I have found another.  There are no scenic cliffs, or turquoise waters here, but this part of South Texas has its own kind of raw beauty and character.